U.S. patent number 7,566,375 [Application Number 11/417,623] was granted by the patent office on 2009-07-28 for panel grip with cut-outs and inserts.
Invention is credited to Ben Huang.
United States Patent |
7,566,375 |
Huang |
July 28, 2009 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Panel grip with cut-outs and inserts
Abstract
A grip for the handle of a golf club having at least a sheet
with a cut-out and an insert. The insert is positioned within or
against the cut-out of the sheet to define a panel. The panel is
then attached to an underlisting sleeve. The grip reduces impact
shock and provides a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a
spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of
multiple color panels and inserts, easy installation onto a golf
club shaft, and placement of various materials in various grip
areas.
Inventors: |
Huang; Ben (Huntington Beach,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
38037447 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/417,623 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20070169872 A1 |
Jul 26, 2007 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
60762364 |
Jan 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/63; 156/299;
156/293; 156/265; 156/264; 156/256; 156/247; 156/702 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25G
1/102 (20130101); A63B 53/14 (20130101); A63B
60/00 (20151001); A63B 69/3632 (20130101); A63B
60/06 (20151001); Y10T 16/466 (20150115); Y10T
156/1077 (20150115); Y10T 156/1075 (20150115); Y10T
156/1092 (20150115); Y10T 156/1062 (20150115); Y10T
156/1105 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B32B
37/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;156/63,247,264,265,256,293,299,344 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2139008 |
|
Jul 1993 |
|
CN |
|
2163667 |
|
May 1994 |
|
CN |
|
2288744 |
|
Aug 1998 |
|
CN |
|
1332022 |
|
Jul 2000 |
|
CN |
|
2444645 |
|
Aug 2001 |
|
CN |
|
02254450.X |
|
Sep 2002 |
|
CN |
|
1 371 397 |
|
Dec 2003 |
|
EP |
|
2 731 402 |
|
Sep 1996 |
|
FR |
|
55-43008 |
|
Mar 1980 |
|
JP |
|
7-41731 |
|
Feb 1995 |
|
JP |
|
3081404 |
|
Aug 2001 |
|
JP |
|
2002-028264 |
|
Jan 2002 |
|
JP |
|
WO 2005/115563 |
|
Dec 2005 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
European Search Report, European Application No. EP 04 25 7967, 4
pages- cites: US 2004/185958; EP 1 371 397; US 2,225,839; US
6,666,777; US 5,839,983; US 5,577,722; and US 979,266. cited by
other .
Partial European Search Report, App. No. EP 03 25 5917, 2 pages-
cites: 5,671,923; 4,765,856; US 2002/173371; US 2003/040384; and
5,571,050. cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/167,216, filed Jun. 11, 2002, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/608,598, filed Jun. 27, 2003, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/785,379, filed Feb. 24, 2004, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/827,095, filed Apr. 19, 2004, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/875,035, filed Jun. 23, 2004, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/029,328, filed Jan. 5, 2005, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/062,046, filed Feb. 18, 2005, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/131,832, filed May 18, 2005, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/172,770, filed Jul. 1, 2005, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/412,196, filed Apr. 25, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/416,364, filed May 1, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/413,411, filed Apr. 28, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/438,808, filed May 22, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,696, filed May 3, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,643, filed May 3, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,555, filed May 3, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,401, filed May 3, 2006, pending. cited by
other .
European Search Report EP 06254204.8 dated Jun. 5, 2007. cited by
other .
The Random House College Dictionary, Revised Edition, 1975, p.
1233, definition of skive3 cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/682,264, filed Mar. 5, 2007, (U.S. Pub. No.
2007-0149307 A1), pending (180C1). cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/689,452, filed Mar. 21, 2007, (U.S. Pub. No.
2008-0230174 A1), pending (214A). cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 12/045,639, filed Mar. 10, 2008, (U.S. Pub. No.
2008-0229646 A1), pending (212A). cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 12/123,384, filed May 19, 2008, (U.S. Pub. No.
2008-0283178 A1),pending (11CP5DV1C1). cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 11/838,670, filed Aug. 14, 2007, pending (217A).
cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 12/055,289, filed Mar. 25, 2008, pending (207C1).
cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Aftergut; Jeff H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear
LLP
Parent Case Text
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/762,364, filed Jan. 25, 2006.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of making a grip for the shaft of a golf club, the
method comprising the steps of: providing an underlisting sleeve;
providing a first backing sheet; providing a second sheet; forming
a cut-out in the second sheet; providing an insert; arranging the
second sheet and the insert on the first backing sheet; joining the
second sheet and the insert along the intersection of the cut-out
and the insert to define a panel; removing the first backing sheet;
and attaching the panel to the underlisting sleeve.
2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the steps of providing a second
sheet and an insert further comprise providing a sheet and an
insert comprising different durometer material.
3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the steps of providing a second
sheet and an insert further comprise providing a sheet and an
insert comprising different colors.
4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the panel further comprises a
top side, a bottom side, a first substantially vertical side, and a
second substantially vertical side, the method further comprising
the step of: wrapping the panel about the underlisting sleeve such
that the first and second sides join to form a substantially
vertical seam.
5. A method as in claim 4, further comprising the step of: adhering
the vertical sides along the seam.
6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of:
providing an adhesive between the cut-out and the insert.
7. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing a first adhesive between the cut-out and the insert and
providing a second adhesive between the cut-out and the insert.
8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the panel
to the underlisting sleeve further comprises adhering the panel to
the sleeve.
9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the grip further comprises an
outer surface and the method further comprises the step of: forming
a friction enhancing pattern on the outer surface of the grip.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This application hereby incorporates by reference U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/172,770, filed Jul. 1, 2005, pending, U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,244,975; 6,627,027; 6,695,713; 6,843,732; and
6,857,971, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/762,364, filed
Jan. 25, 2006, each in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to an improved grip for shafts. In
particular, this application relates to an improved grip for the
shafts of golf clubs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Applicant has previously developed resilient grips which
successfully reduce impact shock to the muscle and arm joints of
the users of golf clubs and also provide a feeling of tackiness
between the player's hands and the grip. See, for example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,797,813 granted to Applicant on Aug. 25, 1998, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,843,732 granted to Applicant on Jan. 18, 2005, and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,857,971 granted to Applicant on Feb. 22, 2005.
The earliest of these grips utilize a polyurethane-felt strip which
is spirally wrapped around an underlisting sleeve that is slipped
onto and adhered to a golf club shaft. The sides of the strips are
formed with overlapping heat depressed recessed reinforcement
edges. While such grips have proven satisfactory in reducing impact
shock, the fabrication is labor intensive, particularly since the
strip must be wrapped manually about the underlisting sleeve within
specific pressure parameters. Additionally, it is difficult to
accurately align the adjoining side edges of the strip as such
strip is being spiraling wrapped about the underlisting sleeve.
These wrapped grips can become twisted during the wrapping process,
allow for only limited display of decorative designs, and allow for
only a limited placement of colors.
Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,971 sought to overcome two of the
aforementioned disadvantages of existing spirally wrapped grips
while providing the same resistance to shock afforded by such
grips, as well as providing tackiness. Specifically, this patent
discloses forming a structurally integral grip from a single
polyurethane-felt panel having a configuration corresponding to the
exterior shape of an underlisting sleeve. While this design removes
the twisting problems associated with the wrapping process and
offers more area to display decorative designs, it is limited in
its ability to accommodate multiple color schemes which are so
popular in today's modern world of golf.
Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,732 sought to overcome the
aforementioned disadvantages while still providing tackiness by
incorporating multiple initially distinct two layer panels. Such a
design allows grips made according to the teachings of U.S. Pat.
No. 6,843,732 to accommodate multiple color combinations that would
not have been possible with the single panel grips or the spirally
wrapped grips of old.
While such grips have continued to prove satisfactory in reducing
impact shock, they allow for only limited display of decorative
designs and limited placement of colors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the golf club grip of the present invention overcome
the aforementioned disadvantages of existing spirally wrapped grips
and the single panel grips while providing the same resistance to
shock afforded by such grips, as well as providing tackiness.
Desirably, a structurally integral grip is formed from at least a
sheet with a cut-out and an insert.
One embodiment is a grip for use on the shaft of a golf club,
including a preferably resilient underlisting sleeve and a panel
with an outer surface, a first portion defining an outer surface
and circumscribing a cut-out, and an insert positioned within the
cut-out. The insert includes an outer surface. The outer surface of
the panel includes the outer surface of the first portion and the
outer surface of the insert. The panel is attached to the
underlisting sleeve such that the outer surface of the panel
defines an outer surface of the grip.
In some embodiments, the insert and the panel each include
different durometer materials or colors.
In some embodiments, the panel includes a top side, a bottom side,
a first substantially vertical side, and a second substantially
vertical side. The panel is preferably wrapped about the
underlisting sleeve such that the first and second sides join to
form a substantially vertical seam. Though not required, the first
and second vertical sides may be skived. In some embodiments, the
sides are skived parallel to each other. In other embodiments, the
sides are skived anti-parallel to each other. The skived sides may
abut each other and/or overlap each other. The panel may include a
friction enhancing pattern on its outer surface. The intersections
between portions of the panel may include one or more
adhesives.
Another embodiment is a grip for use on the shaft of a golf club,
including a preferably resilient underlisting sleeve and a panel
including a cut-out and an insert abutting the cut-out. The panel
also preferably includes a recessed channel along at least a
portion of the intersection between the cut-out and the insert. The
panel is preferably attached to the underlisting sleeve. In some
embodiments, the channel is melted and may include a deposit of
polyurethane.
Another embodiment is a method of making a grip for use on the
shaft of a golf club comprising the steps of: providing a resilient
underlisting sleeve; providing a sheet comprising an outer surface;
forming a cut-out in the sheet so that the sheet includes a first
portion circumscribing the cut-out; providing an insert comprising
an outer surface; positioning the insert within the cut-out;
attaching the sheet to the underlisting sleeve such that the outer
surface of the sheet defines a portion of the outer surface of the
grip; and attaching the insert to the underlisting sleeve such that
the outer surface of the insert defines a portion of the outer
surface of the grip. The method may also include joining the sheet
and the insert to form a panel and attaching the panel to the
underlisting sleeve to attach the sheet and the insert to the
underlisting sleeve.
Yet another embodiment is a method of making a grip for use on the
shaft of a golf club comprising the steps of: providing a resilient
underlisting sleeve; providing a sheet; forming a cut-out in the
sheet; providing an insert; positioning the insert such that it
abuts the cut-out; forming a recessed channel along at least a
portion of the intersection between the cut-out and the insert;
attaching the sheet to the underlisting sleeve; and attaching the
insert to the underlisting sleeve. The method may also include
joining the sheet and the insert to form a panel and attaching the
panel to the underlisting sleeve to attach the sheet and the insert
to the underlisting sleeve.
Another embodiment is a method of making a grip for use on the
shaft of a golf club comprising the steps of: providing a resilient
underlisting sleeve; providing a first backing sheet; providing a
second sheet; forming a cut-out in the second sheet; providing an
insert; arranging the second sheet and the insert on the first
backing sheet; joining the second sheet and the insert along the
intersection of the cut-out and the insert to define a panel;
removing the backing sheet; and attaching the panel to the
underlisting sleeve.
Other embodiments include a grip and a method of making a grip for
use with other impact imparting implements, including, but not
limited to, tennis rackets, polo clubs, hockey sticks, badminton
rackets, hammers, and the like. Further, such grips could also be
adapted for use with other handles that are grasped by a user's
hand wherein the features of the herein described invention could
be useful and beneficial, including bicycle grips, walking sticks,
tow rope handles for use with wakeboarding, water skiing, and the
like, and other types of handles.
Embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured at
considerably less cost than existing spirally wrapped grips since
it eliminates the intensive labor of spirally wrapping a strip
around an underlisting sleeve within specific pressure parameters.
Additionally, embodiments should not twist either during
manufacture or after it is adhered to an underlisting sleeve. My
new grip desirably has an appearance similar to conventional molded
rubber grips so as to appeal to professional golfers and
low-handicap amateurs, and also provides a greater area for the
application of decorative designs. Further, embodiments of the
present invention can also accommodate multiple color combinations,
thus appealing to golfers and college programs who wish to display
their school colors while playing the sport they love. Embodiments
of the present invention are easy to install. Furthermore,
embodiments of the present invention allow us to place various
materials in various grip areas. For example, one or more different
materials can be used where there is more expected contact between
the user's hand and the grip, such as where the base of the hand in
the palm area contacts the grip or where the pads of the fingers
contact the grip. The choice of materials can be made to adjust
various parameters of the grip, such as tackiness, feel, and/or
durability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative
embodiments of the invention, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front rear view of a first sheet and inserts used in a
panel grip according to one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 2-2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 3 in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front view of a backing sheet used in a panel grip
according to one embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 5-5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first sheet and inserts being
coupled to a backing sheet according to one embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a panel according to one
embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 8-8 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 9 in
FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a mold which
may be utilized in forming a panel member of a panel grip according
to one embodiment;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 11 in
FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a pattern that may be formed by the
mold shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;
FIG. 13 is a front view of a panel member of a panel grip according
to one embodiment;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 14 in
FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 15-15 in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a panel member of a
panel grip during a step according to one embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a side view showing a first longitudinal side of a panel
member being skived according to one embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a side view showing a second longitudinal side of a
panel member being skived parallel to the first side according to
one embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a side view showing the top and bottom sides of a panel
member of one embodiment being skived anti-parallel to each
other;
FIG. 20 is it a front view of an underlisting sleeve member of a
panel grip according to one embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 21-21 in FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 22 in
FIG. 21;
FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 23 in
FIG. 21;
FIG. 24 is a rear view showing adhesive being applied to a panel
member of a panel grip according to one embodiment;
FIG. 25 is a front view showing adhesive being applied to the
exterior of an underlisting sleeve according to one embodiment;
FIG. 26 is a rear view showing a panel member being coupled to an
underlisting sleeve according to one embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a rear view of showing another step in a panel member
being coupled to an underlisting sleeve according to one
embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a rear view of a panel member coupled to an underlisting
sleeve according to one embodiment;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line designated
29-29 in FIG. 26;
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line designated
30-30 in FIG. 27;
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line designated
31-31 in FIG. 28;
FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 32 in
FIG. 28;
FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 33 in
FIG. 28;
FIG. 34 is a horizontal side view showing a mold which may be
utilized in forming a panel grip according to one embodiment;
FIG. 35 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 35-35 in FIG. 34;
FIG. 36 is an enlarged view of the encircled area designated 36 in
FIG. 35;
FIG. 37 is a front view of a panel grip according to one
embodiment;
FIG. 38 is a side view of a panel grip according to one
embodiment;
FIG. 39 is a perspective front view of an underlisting sleeve
member of a panel grip according to one embodiment;
FIG. 40 is a side view of the underlisting sleeve shown in FIG.
39;
FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line designated
41-41 in FIG. 39;
FIG. 42 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 42-42 in FIG. 40;
FIG. 43 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line
designated 43-43 in FIG. 40;
FIG. 44 is a perspective front view of a grip according to one
embodiment;
FIG. 45 is a rear view of the grip shown in FIG. 44;
FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line designated
46-46 in FIG. 44;
FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a golf club provided with a panel
grip according to one embodiment;
FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a golf club provided with a panel
grip according to one embodiment.
Throughout the figures, similar reference numerals and characters
are generally used to denote like features, elements, components,
or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the
subject invention will now be described in detail with reference to
the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative
embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be
made to the described embodiments without departing from the true
scope and spirit of the subject invention as defined by the
appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 47, a panel grip G embodying the
present invention is shown attached the shaft SC of a golf club C.
In FIG. 48, a putter grip PG embodying the present invention is
shown attached to the shaft SP of a putter PC. Referring now to the
remaining drawings, a grip includes a sheet coupled to an insert to
form a panel which is then wrapped about and coupled to a resilient
underlisting sleeve of a conventional construction. Throughout the
application, the term top is used to refer to that which is closest
to the bottom end of the club opposite the club head, i.e. the end
closest to the golfer if that golfer were to be swinging or
stroking the club. Similarly, the term bottom is used to define
that which is furthest from the butt end of the club.
Grip G preferably includes a panel P (FIG. 13) and an underlisting
sleeve U (FIG. 20). As shown in FIG. 1, panel P includes a first
sheet 2 and one or more inserts (32, 34, 36, 38, 40). In the
illustrated embodiment, a first portion of sheet 2 circumscribes a
cutout 12. A second portion of sheet 2 defines a first side cutout
14. A second portion of sheet 2 defines a second side cutout 16. A
third portion of sheet 2 defines a top cutout 18. Finally, in the
illustrated embodiment, a fifth portion of sheet 2 defines a bottom
cutout 20. The sheet, including each of the portions of the sheet,
defines an outer surface.
Inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are shaped to correspond with cutouts
12, 14, 16, 18, 20, respectively. Each of the inserts defines an
outer surface. The outer surface of the grip desirably comprises
the outer surface of the sheet and the outer surfaces of the
inserts. Notches 56 and 58 define the midline of the finished panel
P. These notches, or other centering indicia, are used to arrange
the panel P on the underlisting sleeve U, as explained in other
applications and issued patents incorporated herein in their
entireties, such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,732, issued
on Jan. 18, 2005.
Referring to FIG. 14, panel P preferably includes an off-set
symmetrical sheet and cutout arrangement. A symmetrical arrangement
would be an arrangement of the sheet and cutouts such that a line
drawn through the centering notches 56 and 58 would divide the
panel P into two equal, or symmetrical, halves. In the illustrated
off-set symmetrical arrangement, one side is extended further than
the other. In FIG. 1, the left hand side of sheet 2 and inserts 34,
38, and 40 extend further to the left. This off-set is useful to
accommodate parallel skived or cut sides as is described in greater
detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,732. Once the left side of the panel
P is skived, the portion of the panel which defines the outer
surface of the grip will preferably be generally symmetrical.
Panel P is formed by coupling a first sheet 2 and one or more
inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. In the illustrated embodiment, sheet 2
and the inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are shaped such that when
brought into mating contact, the combination thereof substantially
forms the panel P. The panel P is preferably sized to generally
correspond to the outer surface area of the underlisting sleeve U.
In other embodiments, the sheet and inserts are coupled together
and subsequently die cut or otherwise further manipulated such that
they ultimately form a panel P that generally corresponds to the
outer surface area of the underlisting sleeve U. Formation of such
inserts and various materials that may be used therein are
disclosed in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/172,770, filed Jul. 1, 2005.
FIG. 1 illustrates sheet 2 and the corresponding inserts 32, 34,
36, 38, 40. Sheet 2 preferably includes cutouts 12, 14, 16, 18, 20.
Sheet 2 is preferably cut, sliced, and or otherwise removed and
separated from a larger sheet of material (not shown). Sheet 2 may
also be formed according to practices well known to those of skill
in the art. Cutouts 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are preferably formed by
similar means.
Similarly, inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are preferably removed and
separated from larger sheets of material. Advantageously, sheet 2
and inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may include materials of one or more
differing properties and may be positioned to maximize the benefit
of one or more of those properties. For example, there may be
locations of increased wear on the grip G during use. Cutouts may
be strategically placed in these areas of increased wear and
corresponding inserts may be placed in those areas. These inserts
may include materials of increased strength, durability, or
durometer, which may make them better suited to absorb the forces
imparted to those areas of the grip. As those of skill in the art
will appreciate from the foregoing, these inserts may have
different levels of tackiness and that the inserts could be
selected based on tackiness.
It also may be desirous to include certain areas of a different
color. In such an instance, cutouts may be formed and
correspondingly shaped inserts may be used in those locations with
different colors. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the panel P may
include one or more friction enhancing patterns. Sheet 2 or inserts
32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may include these one or more friction enhancing
patterns prior to being formed into panel P, or may be manipulated
to include these patterns after being formed into panel P. In the
earlier case, the patterns may be formed when the components are
cut from the larger sheets or they may be formed in a separate
step. These different colors may be used on cutouts with the same
physical properties and/or cutouts having the same physical
properties may share the same color.
Panel P also preferably comprises multiple layers. Referring to
FIG. 3, in one embodiment, panel P, including the sheet 2 and
inserts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, comprises an inner strength layer 4 and
an outer tactile layer 6. Preferably, outer tactile layer 6
comprises polyurethane. Other materials than polyurethane could be
used and still achieve some advantages. In particular, other
polymeric compounds can be used to create the outer layer and
achieve some advantages. In addition, additional materials such as
waterproofing coatings may be incorporated on the outer surface of
the outer tactile layer 6 without departing from the invention
disclosed herein. Inner strength of layer 4 preferably comprises a
felt. Alternative embodiments of this invention may use other
fabric or textile layers in lieu of, or in conjunction, with felt.
In another embodiment, the inner strength layer 4 may comprise a
polymer, more preferably ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
The outer surface of inner strength layer 4 is preferably bonded to
the inner surface of outer tactile layer 6. For purposes of this
disclosure, the definition of bonding is intended to have a broad
meaning, including commonly understood definitions of bonding,
adhering, fixing, attaching, sewing, coupling, and gluing. When
polyurethane is used in outer layer 6, such polyurethane is
preferably coagulated to define pores (not shown). The polyurethane
may be coagulated and bonded directly to inner strength layer 4, or
may be first coagulated on an intermediary layer (not shown) and
later attached to inner strength layer 4. Such a process is
described in greater detail in, for example, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/172,770.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, sheet 2 and inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40
are preferably arranged on a backing sheet 60. Backing sheet 60 is
preferably an adhesive 61 coated plastic. The adhesive 61 used is
preferably strong enough to maintain the relative positions of the
sheet and the inserts; however, it is preferably removable prior to
bonding the panel P to the underlisting sleeve U. In some
embodiments, backing sheet 60 is removed after the sheet and the
inserts have been joined, as shown in FIG. 16. Alternatively,
backing sheet may comprise a thin layer of material intended to
remain on the grip. For example, a thin sheet of felt or other
strength material may be used and permanently joined or bonded to
the backs of the sheet 2 and the inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40.
As shown in FIG. 6, sheet 2 and inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 are
preferably arranged on backing sheet 60. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the
sheet and the inserts are preferably held in position by backing
sheet 60 such that their sides are in contact with each other to
form intersections 62. These intersections 62 may include one or
more adhesives to bond or join the sides of the inserts to the
sides of the sheet. If a multiple layered panel is desired, and the
inner layer includes felt, an adhesive with the chemical formula
toulene (CH.sub.5CH.sub.3), ethyl acetate (C.sub.4H.sub.8O.sub.2),
methyl ethyl ketone (C.sub.4H.sub.8O), and acetone
(C.sub.3H.sub.6O) may be used between the layers of felt along at
least a portion of the intersection. If an outer layer of
polyurethane is used, the adhesive between the polyurethane layers
along at least a portion of the intersection may be a polyurethane
deposit.
As shown in FIGS. 10-14, a mold M is preferably used to form a
friction enhancing pattern on the outer surface of the panel P. An
example of such a friction enhancing pattern is shown in FIG. 12.
As shown in detail in FIG. 15, mold M may also form a channel 64
along a portion or the entire intersections 62 between the sheet 2
and the inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40. The mold M preferably uses heat
to melt a portion of the outer surface of the panel P. Along the
intersections 62, this heat preferably melts the polyurethane, if
used, so that the polyurethane joins the outer surface of the
insert to the outer surface of the sheet to form the unitary panel
P.
As described in other patents, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,732,
an additional deposit of polyurethane may be placed along the
intersections 62. This additional deposit may be placed in a
portion or the entire channel 64, if formed in the panel P, or
along a portion or the entire outer surface of the intersections
62. As previously disclosed, this deposit may be buffed or
otherwise smoothed such that the surface of the grip is
substantially smooth. Alternatively, the deposit need not be
smoothed.
Once the sheet 2 and the inserts 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 have been
joined to form panel P, backing sheet 60 may be removed as shown in
FIG. 16. FIGS. 17-48 show further manipulation of panel P and its
application to an underlisting U or putter underlisting PU to form
a grip G or a putter grip PG, respectively.
A similar method may be employed to form a spiral wrap grip with
one or more inserts. In addition, one or more inserts may be
positioned within the cutouts. In such an embodiment, two or more
inserts would, for example, replace insert 32 in cutout 12.
As shown in FIGS. 17-19, the sides of panel P are preferably
skived. It will be noted from FIGS. 17 and 18 that the skiving on
the first and second sides of panel P are preferably parallel to
one another. Such a configuration of skiving may be advantageously
used to form a substantially longitudinal overlapping intersection
of the first and second skived longitudinal sides, as shown in
FIGS. 29-31. Alternatively, first and second sides of panel P may
be skived anti-parallel in a similar manner to the skiving of top
and bottom sides of panel P shown in FIG. 19. With anti-parallel
longitudinal side edges, the substantially longitudinal
intersection may be formed by over lapping the edges.
Alternatively, the intersection may be sewn or otherwise
joined.
Generally, the outer surface of the panel P is in direct contact
with the hand of the user using a grip G. However, as one of skill
in the art would appreciate, an additional coating layer over the
panel P may be included. It should be understood that the outer
surface of a grip embodying the present invention may also be
coated, in whole or in part, by means of a brush, nozzle, spray, or
the like with a thin layer of polyurethane and/or other material
(not shown) to protect such surface, add tackiness thereto, and
increase the durability thereof. The additional coating layer is
preferably transparent, or semi-transparent, such that some or all
of the pattern on the outer surface of the panel P created by the
cutouts and inserts remains visible. The additional coating layer
may be somewhat opaque, as long as a portion of the panel P is
observable through the additional coating layer. If an additional
coating layer is included over the outer surface of the grip, this
layer may be further enhanced with a friction enhancing pattern as
is known to those of skill in the art. The additional coating layer
may be incorporated into a previously formed grip G or may be
applied to the panel P prior to attachment to the underlisting
sleeve U. If used, the additional coating layer would be in direct
contact with the user's hand rather than the outer surface of the
grip. However, even when an additional coating layer is included,
the outer surface of the panel P is considered to be the outer
surface of the grip.
Embodiments of the golf club grip provide the advantages over the
existing wrapped and single panel grips described hereinbefore.
Additionally, such grip has the appearance of a molded, one-piece
grip familiar to professional and low-handicap golfers. Although
some of such golfers are reluctant to use a non-traditional wrapped
club grip, they are willing to play with a structurally integral
grip of these embodiments since such grip affords the shock
absorbing and tackiness qualities of a wrapped grip. Further, many
individual golfers and high school, college, and professional teams
like the camaraderie and unification that can be achieved by
putting team colors on their golf grips without sacrificing
comfort, durability, or tackiness because of paint embossment.
These embodiments allow the application of the multiple colors to
golf club and putter grips to allow these teams and individuals to
express their spirit and enthusiasm in a way never before
possible.
It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of
the principles of the invention, and that various modifications,
alterations, and combinations can be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *